Mario Navarro's path from naval aviation technician to engineering student

Mario Navarro

Generally, for a majority of people, the traditional path to a college education is to graduate high school first and then directly transition into a four-year university. The path that has brought to this statement of purpose is nothing like that, it was a path with many detours in it. During high school, I wasn't sure I was quite ready for college and I carefully scanned all my options. After much contemplation, I found that the offer that I received from the United States Navy was hard to beat. This path would give me the opportunity to see the world, learn a trade, as well as contribute to my personal character by developing a sense of discipline and responsibility.

I can still remember the feeling of excitement that I felt and I couldn't wait to sign the dotted line. After 13 months of service, I became an Aviation Electronics Technician Petty Officer Third Class who was checking in to my first command, Patrol Squadron 8 a P-3 squadron that was already deployed. The hands on training and sense of comradery was phenomenal, and within just a couple of years I was promoted to a Quality Assurance Inspector and a Petty Officer Second Class. My career continued to follow such a trajectory until I was recognized as a technical expert in the Avionics Branch of the Maintenance Department and a proud mentor to junior sailors.

My experience with the Navy has brought me to something of a crossroads however. I realize that I need to broaden my skill set to be able to fully utilize this experience effectively and enter into the next phase of my career. I believe that studying in your engineering program will provide me the skills and knowledge that I need to help me tackle some of the engineering challenges in aviation that I wish to pursue. I am grateful for your consideration and excited to attend your university.

Research Interest

Aviation quickly became a passion for me in my early career. After just thirteen months in the Navy, I quickly put my training to use fixing airplanes that were flying missions over Bosnia. This initial experience was intense and as my time with Patrol Squadron 8 flew by, I learned so much about aviation, service, and life in general. Because of the technical capabilities I had accumulated, I was later promoted to a Quality Assurance Inspector. With just over two years in the I was a Petty Officer Second Class, a shift supervisor and had a collateral duty as a Quality Assurance Inspector. At this post I was recognized as a technical expert in the Avionics Branch of the Maintenance Department and had the opportunity to work on several diverse projects.

The training and experience were not the only benefits I received from the Navy. As my naval career moved me to new and different locations on different aircraft platforms, and I have been exposed to much of the variety that the world of aviation can offer. My military service has also helped me develop into a responsible, focused and determined individual with leadership and teamwork experience that knows how to set and achieve goals. Furthermore, serving 20 years in the Navy offered me the opportunity to see many corners of the globe, which has made me appreciate the dedication to technology and engineering that can only be found in the United States.

Today, we live in a global economy and our economy is what fuels this great nation in the international sphere. In order to stay on top, we need to continue focusing our best and brightest minds to further our technological capabilities so that we may continue the best products and provide the best services for our soldiers as well as our citizens. Technological progress represents one of the critical success factors not only for the U.S., but for humanity in general.

Technology has help mankind achieve a great many things, including, better equipment for doctors such as the X-ray computed tomography or CT scan, creation of new materials like Kevlar and the Doppler radar that helps meteorologists predict the weather are only a few of the marvels that pushing the envelope of technology helps achieve. With regard to the military, technology has been the key to maintaining peace and security as well as providing a layer of protection from terrorism. That is why I feel that pursuing a career in engineering is the best way to help continue the trend of furthering the science to create products that will improve and make safer technologies for all.